Received the ceremony script from my hotel

Here is the ceremony from our WC. I'm not loving it. It doesn't refect who we are & why we are getting married. can you change stuff? If you do, does the officiant just read it like a script? I also want to add in the hand ceremony. Can I just remove things I don't like & stick in the hand ceremony? How much can you customize? I don't want to make it hard for the officiant.

I think I'd also like to each write a really short sentence or two to say in place of the "repeat after me" part. For those who did this, was it hard? I wouldn't want to get nervous & forget it all. Maybe we can have index cards. I would rather say something I mean though instead of repeating something written.

WE have present in front of us today, Saturday, April 19th 2008, Benjamin and Monica who have come forward for their celebration of unity.

â€œMarriageâ€ is the legal union between man and woman, that joins their lives together to enhance the human race and find eternal happiness. In the marriage, both the man and the woman have the same rights and obligations to each other, and both are equal under the lawâ€

Marriage is the moral way to establish a family, to conserve the human race, and to compensate for the imperfections of the individual that can not be fulfilled within himself, in order to attain the duality of marriage. The married person should be and will be sacred, each to the other, even more than to himself.

The man, whose gifts are principally courage and strength, should and will give perfection, nourishment, and direction to the woman. Treating her always like the most delicate, sensitive, and finest part of himself. The generosity and kindness that a man owes to a woman is essential, as she devotes herself totally to him

The woman, whose gifts are principally beauty, insight, love, and tenderness should and will give assistance, consolation and advice to the man, treating him always like the person who stands by her and defends her.

Each one owes to the other, and should have, respect, fidelity, confidence, and tenderness. Both should never do anything to contradict the union. Both should use wisdom to lessen any faults, and never insult, as insults between married people dishonour and abuse the strength of the union. Both should cherish and honour this union as the lasting bond that unites our race, for in the eyes of man, this is considered the most important component of society and of the family.

Being so and for all the above written reason, Iâ€™ll ask you to take each others hand:

EXCHANGING THE VOWS :

Benjamin, do you agree to take Monica as you lawfully wedded wife, to love and honour her, stand by her side in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?

Monica, do you agree to take Benjamin as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and honour him, stand by his side in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?

Now please exchange your rings

â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦ EXCHANGING OF THE RINGS (the man first):

I WILL ASK YOU NOW TO SEAL THE VOWS WHICH YOU HAVE JUST MADE, BY THE GIVING AND RECEIVING OF RINGS, LET US REMEMBER THAT THE CIRCLE IS THE EMBLEM OF ETERNITY AND IT IS OUR PRAYER THAT YOUR LOVE AND HAPPINESS WILL BE AS UNENDING AS THE RINGS WHICH YOU EXCHANGE.

Benjamin, WILL YOU LOOK INTO Monicaâ€™s EYES AND INTO HER HEART, AND REPEAT AFTER ME?

I CAME HERE TODAY Monica, TO JOIN MY LIFE TO YOURS I PLEDGE TO BE FAITHFUL TO YOU, TO RESPECT YOU AND PROTECT YOU, TO STAND FAITHFULLY BY YOUR SIDE IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH NO MATTER WHAT WE MAY ENCOUNTER TOGETHER I VOW HERE THAT THIS LOVE WILL BE MY ONLY LOVE. PLEASE ACCEPT THIS RING AS A SYMBOL OF MY LOVE AND FIDELITY, I PROMISE TO LOVE YOU AND RESPECT YOU AL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE

Monica, WILL YOU LOOK INTO Benjaminâ€™s EYES, AND INTO HIS HEART, AND REPEAT AFTER ME?

I CAME HERE TODAY Benjamin, TO JOIN MY LIFE TO YOURS I PLEDGE TO BE FAITHFUL TO YOU, TO RESPECT YOU AND PROTECT YOU, TO STAND FAITHFULLY BY YOUR SIDE IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH NO MATTER WHAT WE MAY ENCOUNTER TOGETHER I VOW HERE THAT THIS LOVE WILL BE MY ONLY LOVE, PLEASE ACCEPT THIS RING AS A SYMBOL OF MY LOVE AND FIDELITY, I PROMISE TO LOVE YOU AND RESPECT YOU AL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE

AFIRMING THAT THERE ARE NO REASONS WHY NOT TO CELEBRATE THIS UNION, I DECLARE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE.

That's so weird... we got our script from our hotel (Shangri-La Caribe in Playa del Carmen) and it's got stuff about "as the great philosopher said...". It's totally different from yours, but also not the greatest.

Is yours going to be in Spanish?

Ours will be, so in a way I don't mind so much about what it says. The important parts will be the "do you___ take ____ to be your..." and our vows to eachother. I asked if we could both say a few words during the ceremony and we can. BUT we can't alter what the judge reads, because that is what makes our ceremony legal.

That's so weird... we got our script from our hotel (Shangri-La Caribe in Playa del Carmen) and it's got stuff about "as the great philosopher said...". It's totally different from yours, but also not the greatest.

Is yours going to be in Spanish?

Ours will be, so in a way I don't mind so much about what it says. The important parts will be the "do you___ take ____ to be your..." and our vows to eachother. I asked if we could both say a few words during the ceremony and we can. BUT we can't alter what the judge reads, because that is what makes our ceremony legal.

Let us know what you find out!

That's the legal script they do in all wedding ceremonies. I'm doing the symbolic ceremony so we can customize & have it in english. We'll be signing the paperwork in north carolina before we leave.

have you asked the hotel what you can change? it is YOUR wedding, and you are paying for it..... i think you should leave benjamin and monica in there tho. that would be a nice touch! (btw, my officiant called me laurel instead of lauren, and it was pretty funny)

I want to have a ceremony more like what they do at las caletas. I love their ceremony. I emailed the WC to see if we can personalize it. I imagine we can, but I dind't know how much you can change things. The officiant still has to say it so I wasn't sure how you go about making changes.

This is the LC ceremony. Just insert benjamin and monica where you see the xxxxx (just kidding).

Entering of the Bride xxxxx and xxxxxx month xxth, 200x

We are here today to participate in a most joyous occasion; to celebrate one of the greatest moments in life, by acknowledging the wedding of xxxxxx and xxxxxxxx.

Today xxxxxxxx and xxxxxxx proclaim their love to the world, and our joy and thoughts are with them.

Being assured of your love as life long companions, and that you have your families blessings, I now ask, who gives this women to be married to this man? Thank you xxxxxx. Opening Blessing

xxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxx, Family and Friends, I would like to welcome you to xxxxxxxx. Bienvinidos Todos….

By entering into this marriage, xxxxx and xxxxxxxx are stating publicly, the feelings, and commitments they have held privately between them. They are proclaiming their love for, their trust in and their loyalty to the one, they cherish above all others.

Marriage has been described as living in love with your best friend. Love is one of the few constants in the universe. It is reality, affinity, and communication. Only love is capable of joining living beings by their deepest essence, uniting, completing, and fulfilling them.

Marriage is a symbol of the commitment, to create a lifelong partnership, based on love.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and before your witnesses, I am to remind you of the serious and binding nature of the relationship you are now about to enter. Are you both here of your own free will?

xxxxxxxxx and xxxxxxxxxx would you please face each other and join your hands.

Vows

xxxxxxx, as I say these words, would you please repeat after me…

I love you, xxxxxx. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.

I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life. I am forever yours……faithfully.

xxxxxxxxx as I say these words, would you please repeat after me…

I love you, xxxxxx, You too are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life. I am forever yours……faithfully.

The Rings

The wedding ring, traditionally, is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love as it has neither a beginning nor an end. It should always remind those who wear it of the sacredness of marriage and the love that feeds it.

xxxxxxx and xxxx, your rings are intimately associated with your intent to honor and treasure the vows you have made today. By exchanging rings, resolve to live your vows and not to let them drift in shallow promises. Believe and trust that the words you have spoken have the capacity to create the marriage, family and life of your dreams, and that the rings you exchange will have the power to return you to your vows.

These rings mark the beginning of a long journey together, wear them proudly, as they are symbols which speak of love that you have for each other….

xxxxxxx as you place this ring on xxxxxxxxx’s finger please repeat after me…

xxxxxxxx, I give you this ring, as a sign of our marriage, and a lasting reminder, of the vows made between us today. I give you this ring, as a reminder that I will love, honor, and cherish you, in all times, in all places, and in all ways, forever.

xxxxx, if you accept please say I do…

xxxxxxxxx as you place this ring on xxxxxxxxxx’s finger, please repeat after me…

xxxxxxxxxx, I to give you this ring, as a sign of our marriage, and a lasting reminder, of the vows made between us today. I give you this ring, as a reminder that I will love, honor, and cherish you, in all times, in all places, and in all ways, forever.

xxxxxxxxx, if you except, please say “I Do”.

Hand Blessing xxxxxx, please hold xxxxxx’s hands palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief engulfs your heart. And these are the hands that when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

xxxxxxxxx would you please hold xxxxx’s hands palms up and take a good long look at the position of his hands, "because this is the last time you will have the upper hand".

These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she promises to passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. And these are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Ladies and Gentlemen, xxxxxxxxx and xxxxxxxxxxxx have demonstrated in your presence today, their belief in their love, and their desire to live together in Holy Matrimony. If you also believe in their love, and wish to add your blessing on their marriage today, please respond now by saying……………WE DO And are you all willing to sustain and strengthen this marriage, by giving xxxxx and xxxxxxxxxx the public commitment of your love and support, through all the ups and downs ahead of them…If you are willing, please say……….WE ARE

Pronouncement

Now that you have joined yourselves in matrimony, may you strive always to meet this commitment, with the same spirit you now are now shining. We all bear witness to this ceremony you have just performed, and this bond that has been formed today can be broken by none.

In the City of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Mexico, as your officient today, month xxth, 200x you may now call yourselves by those old and respected names, Husband and Wife.

YOu should totally be able to change it. Just email your changes back to your WC and also take printed copies with you, just in case. Our WC said we could use their cript or our own .. but since we added the Hand Ceremony, which we tailored for ourselves ... we were ok with the short and sweet vows.

Sounds perfect! I imagined the script was just a standard for people who didn't want to pick something out themselves. I'll email it to the WC once I personalize it & take many copies with me. I just love the LC ceremony.